Herbal remedy for prostate disorders

Nature has remedy for all kinds of prostate disorders, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), prostatitis and prostate cancer, a naturopath and Provost, Federal College of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (FEDCAM) Nigeria, Lagos, Dr Idowu Ogunkoya, has said.

According to him, an herbal preparation made from corn silk, Etiponla in Yoruba, known botanically as Boerhavia difusa and Epakun (Culculigo pilosa) can relieve benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Prostatitis remedy is made from corn silk, Etiponla (Boerhavia difusa) and Ehinbisowo (Phylanthus niruri), he said.

Prostate cancer, he said, can be managed with a concotion made from Etiponla (Boerhavia difusa), Oruwo in Yoruba (root) known botanically as (Morinda lucida) and oro (Euphobia laferiflora).

Ogunkoya said prostate cancer is the most common cancer in elderly men and second most common cause of cancer-related death in men. “It appears in 70 to 80 per cent of men in their 70s. It is also a non-cancerous of unknown cause,” he added.

He described prostate as the tube which carries urine from the bladder to the pennies, saying it is a chestnut shape organ found in all males. “It has fluid which helps to keep sperm found in semen alive and healthy thereby increasing the chances that it will fertilizer the female egg,” he added.

Ogunkoya said prostatitis is an inflammatory condition of the prostate found in men between 20 and 50 years.

“This can be non-bacteria and bacteria prostatitis. Non-bacteria prostatitis is the most common form of prostatic inflammation. It causes pelvic pain, problem with urination and discomfort after ejaculation and lower back pain. Bacteria prostatitis can be transmitted sexually. It is the bacteria in the prostate gland lead to infection, swelling, pain and difficulty in urination. The penis may release bacterial fluid and blood may appear in the urine,” he added.

Prostate cancer, he said, often leads to difficulty in urination, as it progresses, and sometimes bleeding in the urinary track.

The positive side to natural medicine, he noted, is that it can manage, if not cure, critical diseases with herbs and leaves.